Situation on LoC very bad: Nirmal

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 1/31/2018 3:54:14 PM

Send ministerial team to assess situation: MLA Nowshera

JAMMU, Jan 30: The Lower House today witnessed a brief uproar Tuesday as members, including those from the BJP and the CPI(M), raised the issue of Pakistan shelling in Nowshera sector along the Line of Control in Rajouri district, forcing Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh to describe the situation as “very bad.”The Deputy Chief Minister, however, said that administration had been directed to provide safe shelters and other facilities to people who migrated from LoC area in Rajouri. During the Question Hour in the assembly, BJP MLA Ravinder Raina said, “There is heavy firing and shelling going on along LoC in my Nowshera assembly constituency in which people are suffering and migration of the people have taken place.” He said schools were shut and houses suffered damages in the border areas and called for reply from the government to this urgent situation.Raina demanded sending a ministerial team to assess the situation in Nowshera sector. He was supported by CPI(M) member MY Tarigami and members of BJP.Replying on the issue, Deputy Chief Minister said, “The situation is very bad along LoC due to Pakistan shelling. As a result of the shelling, migration has taken place.”He said, “The administration has been directed to provide all necessary facilities, safe shelters and ensure safety for people along LoC.” Fourteen people, including seven civilians, were killed and over 70 others injured in intense shelling by Pakistan along the International Border (IB) in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts, and the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts from January 18 to 22, leading to the displacement of thousands of border residents. Over 300 schools along LoC and IB were closed last week as a precautionary measure in view of the firing.Later talking to reporters outside the House, Nirmal slammed Pakistan, asserting that it could not be trusted upon its peace initiatives while security forces were giving a befitting reply to cross border firing on borders.“Pakistan can never be relied upon for its so called peace initiatives,” said Nirmal.He also added, “Our security forces are giving a befitting and strong reply to Pakistan’s every misadventure along the Line of Control and International Border.”On FIR registration against army personnel in Shopian firing incident in which two civilians were allegedly killed in a clash, Dr Nirmal Singh said, “Nobody would be allowed to demoralise security forces in their anti-militancy operations in Kashmir valley.”